Sunday, May 1, 2011

Middlebury Maple - The Sweetest Half Race Report

Today was a great day for a race. The weather couldn't have been better. It was sunny and pleasant at the start and although it warmed up it was never too hot. It is an extremely well organized race which is tops in my book. Although it is hilly - not a course for a personal best - it is a beautiful course and the miles fly by. You go north through Middlebury to begin with. You go through downtown, through a covered bridge and out by the Morgan Horse Farm.

Going through downtown

Approaching the covered bridge

This is the same route I was biking and loving last fall when I couldn't run. The race went in the opposite direction that I biked it in but there are hills whatever direction you go in. The first 7+ miles are a loop which I love. After you go past the MHF you head down Sheep Farm Road which has excellent views. When you get back to Midd. you head through Midd. College before you go back toward the start. The relay exchange is at the college.

Still seeing ice!

The Morgan Horse Farm

Sheep Farm Road (last fall)

As you get past the exchange it is a little strange because people start shooting past you. Before that most people are settled into their paces to an extent but the relay changes all of that. Whenever anyone passed me for the remainder of the race I could say, "Must be from the relay!" I don't like the last part of the course as well probably because it is even hillier and an out and back so anything you go down you know you will go back up once you turn around.

Middlebury College above and below

South of the race beginning - the out and back

You can see where you are going for a long ways

Including the hills you need to go UP

I did like meeting people and seeing the other racers. The last mile seemed to be forever but you are finally back at the hospital where it begins for that final push.

My mile splits were all over the place and I could tell early on I would not be getting a best time for this race. I was surprised - and yes disappointed - to be slower than last year's time by about 3 minutes. It wasn't even windy this year. I hate to be disappointed in a race result as I feel we should applaud ourselves for getting out there and racing. Doing a half marathon is no small thing in my book and it is a distance I really like. I could see as the finish approached that it was not a given that I would be under 10 minutes a mile. I did pull this off but not by much. Still I had a lot of fun running this and enjoyed the day particularly the weather, the scenery, the organization and seeing some runners I know including cql. There was some cheering for me by some spectators I didn't even know were going to be there - the beauty of a local race. Even though it is a harder half I definitely plan to do it again next year. If you are looking for a good half I would highly recommend it.

I broke every rule with my outfit. I wore brand new running shoes, a new shirt, a new skirt and even a new hat! But I loved my outfit. It was comfortable and perfect for the weather. There was a skirt pocket I put my camera in so it all worked out.

When I was done my stomach definitely bothered me some the same as last year. The food at this race does not appeal to me. I don't like hot anything when I am done. I did have a couple of rolls, some undercooked chocolate chip cookies (not a complaint believe me) and chocolate milk from a local dairy which is quite near the Morgan Horse Farm. I think many people love the food, just not me.

I was 13/25 in my age group.
I was 181/284 women.
I was 359/485 overall.

As I said this race began at the hospital. When it was done I walked over to the nursing home (which is in the opposite direction of my car - that took some self talk) to visit my friend's mother. I enjoy writing letters so several years ago I started writing weekly to people I thought might enjoy hearing from me regardless of what I had to say which is never too terribly earth shattering. (Read old ladies for the most part). I always have loved getting mail and assume others do too. One of my best presents as a kid was a key to the post office box we had. Seriously. My father showed that he really got me with that one. I used to check the mail several times a day for awhile after that birthday. Anyways I decided I could make the effort to visit this woman and she was very pleased to see me. I stayed for about 30 minutes, long enough to consider it a visit. She really wanted to feed me and I really didn't want to eat although I took a few things as it was so important to her to be a hostess in the capacity she could.

Something that impressed me today was a man I saw running. I thought he was dragging his arm (not using it) and later when I met him I could quickly see that half his face was effected by a stroke. Wow! This man had a stroke, is not fully recovered and is running a half marathon (much faster than I was). That is a hero! It puts my complaining into perspective for sure.

Sounds like a difficult course but wow, your state is gorgeous! I love all the pictures you post of the pretty races you run.That's great that you went to visit your friend's mom and that you write to her. I'm sure she really appreciates it. I can imagine that being in a nursing home can get boring.

What a great race!! What a cute skirt! ...and what a great idea to write letters to people. Who DOESN'T like getting hand written mail? What a great idea. I think I'll start close to home on this one...my g'ma.

Really beautiful pictures! Mine are sooo not scenic; yours could be postcards!

Great job on the race! I love the outfit. One of these days I'm getting a running skirt. They look so cute and comfortable. Great story about that man. In general, I think people are capable of SO much more than they give themselves credit for; kudos to him for continuing to push himself after recovery! I think it's wonderful, too, that you're writing to and visiting your friend's mom.

That sounds like such a nice race...that's still a good pace, Congrats!! How sweet of you to visit your friend's mother. I also like that getting a key to the post office was a birthday gift...how great :)

Congratulations on the half marathon! Those pictures of the route are beautiful. The farms are especially breathtaking. It's too bad that the post-race food wasn't too appetizing. The locally produced dairy is a fun touch, though.

About Me

I am an "older" runner who didn't start running until I was 50. I got hooked on running and racing very quickly. It's been awhile since I ran a marathon but I do several halves a year. The big news is that this is the year of the triathlon!